Recovery is possible, just ask Jodie Sweetin

If you ever watched “Full House” and you’re familiar with Stephanie Tanner, you can’t help but picture a young girl saying, “You got it, dude.” It was her key phrase for some time on the show. When you think back to that young, adorable girl or watch reruns, it’s hard to believe everything she’s gone through since.

When the show ended Jodie Sweetin found herself struggling. She ended up turning to alcohol and eventually to drugs as well. She battled as years went by, doing occasional TV spots and a mockumentary. But, after years of struggling and her addiction seemingly on the path to getting deeper, she turned around. She knew it was time to get help. Jodie Sweetin went to rehab and started a new life in 2008.

Her experience caused passion to stir in her, so she became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She worked helping others in treatment and shared with the world in her book “UnSweetined.” Sweetin also went on to act in some Lifetime Movies, the movie “Walt Before Mickey” and appeared on the TV series “Hollywood Darlings.” In 2016, she returned to her original famous role as Stephanie Tanner in “Fuller House.”

Her path to recovery led her to being honored at the 2019 Experience, Strength & Hope Awards Show on February 28th. She was also asked to speak at Georgia Southern’s Armstrong campus on March 10th.

Jodie Sweetin is someone who’s been on the other side. She’s walked the tough road to recovery. She knows the ins and outs. She knows the struggles. But she wants people to know it’s entirely possible to get through it. This is a lady who battled the ugly face of addiction and made it through to become a successful woman who believes in the power of recovery.

Relapse and recovery: How to help your clients stay clean

If you’re working with someone in recovery, it’s important to help them stay on the path, and get back on it if they fall off. It’s not uncommon to relapse. Many people don’t stay clean during their first try. That’s why it’s important for those seeking recovery to know how to avoid relapse and what to do if they do relapse.

Work with your clients in recovery to help them identify any potential triggers that could tempt them into relapsing. There are plenty of things that can trip a person up. It could be people in their lives, different environments, or even smells. Avoiding these people or circumstances can help them stay on the road to recovery. This may mean throwing stuff out, redecorating at home, or even moving, if need be.

Encourage your clients to write down their goals and why they want to stay clean. They should keep this list somewhere they can easily access it for times when they feel tempted to relapse. This list also can come in handy if they do relapse. They can look at it afterwards and remember why it’s important to get back on the path to recovery.

Let your patients know that although you want to encourage them to stay clean, you’ll be there if they relapse. It’s important for them to know they need to reach out for support if they fall off the path. Those who relapse need to know they can reach out to loved ones and professionals for support. They need to lean on someone to help them get back up and stay clean. Let them know they aren’t a failure and help them find the strength to move on.

Relapsing can be an unfortunate part of the recovery journey. Help prepare your clients to find ways to avoid relapse, but also share with them what to do if it should occur. Give your clients the best chance at establishing their ultimate goal of living in recovery.